Farmers dealing with drought cannot relax at Waukesha Co. Fair

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WAUKESHA CO. -- Farmers say any rain that has fallen from the sky in the last few days has made no difference on their land. It's bone dry and crops are dying fast. Some farmers say over 50% of their corn crop is ruined. This has dampened the excitement for those showing prized animals at the Waukesha County Fair, which kicked off Wednesday, July 18th.

Farming is all about tradition, and that's why farmers say despite the worst drought some of them have seen, they're still taking the time to show their animals at the Waukesha County Fair.

Dan Craig has been checking his corn crop in Mukwonago daily. For him, it's been difficult to watch the radar day after day with nothing to show for it.

"It's pretty frustrating. The last soaking rain we had was the day before Father's Day. Because it is so humid, quarter inch or a half inch isn`t going to do it," Craig said.

Craig predicts more than half of his crop is already ruined. All could be lost in the next 14 days.

Craig says there is no jealousy for fields that have seen rain drops.

"It doesn't do much for the crop. It makes it more miserable for us," Craig said.

At the Waukesha County Fair, Mick Heberling unloaded what he hopes to be an award-winning steer. The hobby farmer said he hopes this isn't his last year with the animal.

"Everything is going to cost more. Like next year is going to be tough by corn and grain and all that," Heberling said.

Heberling's also showing a horse at the fair. He says feeding both animals is becoming increasingly expensive.

"The drought has like wiped out my grass. If I had good green pastures for them it would be okay. I don't," said Heberling.

Heberling says he will sell his steer at the end of the fair. That is a trend. One farmer says we could see beef prices lower, since so many farmers are selling their animals because they cannot afford to keep and feed them.